Francis “Roy” O’Connor, age 74 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 10, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Born in Jersey City, NJ on October 31, 1946, son of the late Frank and Helen (McEwan) O’Connor, Roy was raised in Hunterdon County, NJ and had lived many years in Ringoes, NJ prior to moving to Raritan Township thirty years ago.

A 1964 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, NJ, Roy would join the United States Marine Corps upon graduation. He served in Vietnam and was stationed in naval ports around the world including Okinawa and the Philippines. His time in the military taught him many life skills that he would use to overcome many of life’s challenges.

Roy worked as a Journeyman Steamfitter with LU #300 Bernardsville, NJ and later with LU #475, Newark, NJ, where he was well liked by his friends and colleagues. His quick wit and kind heart, paired with his excellent skills and craftsmanship, made him a favorite on many jobsites.

Charming, witty, and handsome, Roy enjoyed joking with friends at the Golden Star Diner where he was a regular. His heart was warm and caring, and he was a friend to every person he met. Roy had an uncanny ability to listen, was easy to talk to, and his loyalty was unmatched. The old adage of him being the person who would give you the shirt off his back is true, however with Roy, if he didn’t have a shirt and you needed one, he would go and buy you one! That is just the type of friend he was to people.

An avid biker, he was a fan of riding his Harley with friends and taking long rides exploring the beauty of the country. He especially liked long winding roads throughout the Delaware River Valley.  Roy was a huge New York Mets fan and while he also loved the New York Jets and the New Jersey Devils, baseball was his favorite sport. He played softball well into his 30’s. Many happy memories were formed with his son and grandsons, throwing the ball in the yard, using America’s favorite pastime to make lasting memories.

Roy’s family was his world and though devastated by the loss of his only daughter, Kathi in 1995, Roy never let the light drain from his life. He showed others how to go on living a happy life as he lived for Kath. His son, Kevin, remembers his dad as the one who set the example for him of what a ‘good man’ should be. Roy’s love was unconditional.

Animals were also part of Roy’s world. He owned a few cats over the years but the most significant are Cutie Pie and Madeline. And while not having a dog himself, he would sit outside in his neighborhood as local dogs would pull their owners to his home as ‘Uncle Roy” would be there with a box of biscuits and a pat on the head for them.

Roy waged a battle with cancer for the last year. He fought with the same smile and tenacity that allowed him to navigate the path of life that was laid out before him. His journey though difficult, saw him surrounded by the same amount of love that he put out during his life and his wish was that no one mourn his passing, but rather simply be grateful for what was, and what is…

Whenever Roy would say goodbye to anyone, his parting line was usually, “Hey, take it easy…” Roy, thank you for the memories and until the day we see you again, we will take it easy, and enjoy every moment of life as you always encouraged us to do.

Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Liz O’Connor; his daughter, who survives because her spirit lives on through all those who knew Roy, Katherine L. O’Connor; his grandsons, Dillon, Taylor, Blair, Jalen, and Brandon; his siblings, Linda and Frederick Mansfield and Laura Marlyn; his cat, Maddy; several extended family and friends; and many dear friends.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Life celebration services and burial with his cherished daughter, Katherine, will take place privately at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Flemington, NJ.

It is important to remember that given the current state of the pandemic, masks must be worn at all times on funeral home and cemetery grounds, and social distancing must be maintained. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival at each location.

It is also requested that you remember that only a certain number of people are allowed in the funeral home at any given time, so please remain cognizant of your time spent with the family so that others may express their love and support as well.

You are encouraged to visit Roy’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor and memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, via mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking HERE or to Tabby’s Place, via mail to 1100 US-202, Ringoes, NJ 08551 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”